Check out this Trove of K-12 Nutrition Program Treasures!
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) raises awareness each year about the importance of healthy school meals and their impact on student wellbeing with National School Lunch Week (NSLW). This annual celebration highlights the nutritional benefits of school lunches, engages students and families, and encourages community support for programs that ensure all children have access to nutritious food.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was established in 1946 as a response to growing concerns about child nutrition and food security in the aftermath of World War II. The goal was to ensure that all children could access nutritious meals during the school day.
The program also supports U.S. agriculture by utilizing domestically grown foods. Over the decades, the NSLP evolved to address changing dietary guidelines and nutritional standards. Yet, it’s always been guided by a commitment to improving child health outcomes and reducing food insecurity. Today, around 30 million students in the U.S. benefit from the NSLP each day.
SNA chose a pirate theme for NSLW 2024. Tapping into the age-old fascination with high-seas adventures and hidden treasures, shared by children and adults. It’s a theme sure to boost NSLP participation, awareness, and fun. They invite schools and districts to find the treasure of school lunch by celebrating the importance of nutrition in student health and education.
Anyone can join the fun on social media using #NSLW24 when posting or commenting. SNA also offers NSLW resources like coloring pages, digital meeting backgrounds, and themed cafeteria décor. We couldn’t wait to get started, so we went looking for treasure by speaking with K-12 nutrition leaders across the U.S.
We found some incredible ways that schools drive interest in healthy meals, food sources, and culinary creations. From modernized cafeterias to farmer’s markets, here’s how different districts elevate and enhance their lunch programs.
Treasure #1: Twin Rivers Unified School District | California
Reimagining High School Cafeterias and Delivering Farm-to-School Produce
Twin Rivers modernized their cafeterias at Grant and Rio Linda High Schools over the summer. They updated furniture and décor, reimagined it as a social gathering space, and added new items to their menu. The refreshed design and tasty new offerings greeted students this school year, leading to a remarkable 22% increase in lunch participation. Now, students enjoy the cafeteria as a place for grabbing a delicious meal or snack, as well as a place to socialize, relax, and even collaborate on school projects.
Additionally, the district partnered with local producer H&K Farms to deliver fresh, seasonal produce to secondary schools. Elementary students will also benefit from a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant, which includes Thursday morning farmer’s markets to promote healthy eating within the community.
Twin Rivers Nutrition Services operates under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing them to offer free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students without requiring meal applications. In the 2023-2024 school year, nearly 5 million meals were served. The department also runs a Food Scrap Sorting program, partnering with Breathe California Sacramento Region to recycle organic waste and educate students about sustainability.
Overall, Twin Rivers is not only enhancing their lunch program but also creating a supportive, educational environment that promotes healthy food choices.
Treasure #2: Kern High School District | California
School Lunch from Around the World and a #NSLW24 Treasure Hunt
Kern High School District is making waves with innovative food programs that celebrate diversity and cultural education. The district recently launched “Around the World Wednesday,” where schools feature different cultural cuisines each week, introducing students to global flavors. This initiative broadens students’ culinary horizons and cultivates appreciation for different cultures.
The district also hosts an annual cooking competition, similar to the Chopped TV show, in which students compete to develop a winning recipe. The winners get their new items featured on future menus.
Del Oro High School’s recent recognition with the Farm to School Melon Award underscores the district’s commitment to local agriculture and sustainability. By sourcing produce from local farms, Kern ensures that students get fresh, healthy options while supporting the community.
For NSLW, the district is planning an exciting treasure hunt, complete with themed decorations at various school sites. Students will have the chance to win movie tickets — creating a fun, engaging atmosphere that encourages participation in school lunch programs. This combination of educational initiatives and interactive events is designed to enhance student engagement and promote a positive dining experience.
Treasure #3: Mesa Public Schools | Arizona
Bicycle-Powered Nutrition Lessons and Menu Item Voting
Mesa Public Schools created a vibrant cafeteria culture that emphasizes fun and education around mealtime. At Lincoln Elementary, for example, the Arizona Dairy Council will host a special event on October 16th. Students will learn about the importance of dairy in their diets while blending smoothies using bicycle power.
The creativity of the cafeteria staff also shines at Lowell Elementary, where seasonal decorations transform the dining area for each holiday, creating a festive atmosphere that makes mealtime special. Field Elementary engages students with fun item promotions throughout the school year, while Adams Elementary captivates attention with eye-catching bulletin boards, further creating an engaging cafeteria experience.
A standout initiative at Mesa Public Schools is the “Vote for School Lunch” program held on Election Day, allowing students to cast their votes for a new entrée item. Each participant receives an “I Voted” sticker, letting them display their role in the menu creation process. This initiative empowers students and reinforces the importance of healthy food choices.
For NSLW, Mesa plans various promotions across elementary and secondary sites using resources from the School Nutrition Association’s “Find Your Treasure” toolkit. The district also offers prizes to cafeteria managers, incentivizing them to create engaging experiences for students throughout the week.
Treasure #4: Rockford Public Schools 205 | Illinois
Tailoring Meals to Student Needs and Building the Ultimate Chicken Sandwich
Newly promoted Kitchen Manager Brittany Monreal at Guilford High School has quickly made a name for herself by prioritizing the health and safety of students with allergies. Her hands-on approach to training staff on allergy protocols ensures that every student receives meals that are both safe and enjoyable. The teamwork and commitment at Guilford create a supportive environment for students with dietary restrictions.
The district also recently expanded its Breakfast in the Classroom programs to three additional elementary schools, resulting in over 1,200 more breakfasts served in September compared to the previous year. Breakfast carts enable staff to deliver meals directly to classrooms, significantly increasing participation.
For NSLW, Rockford is hosting a Tyson Chicken Sandwich Contest, encouraging students to design their ultimate chicken sandwich. The winning entries will be featured on upcoming menus, giving students a chance to have their culinary creations recognized and enjoyed by their peers.
Treasure #5: DC Public Schools | Washington D.C.
Pirate-Themed Menus and Partnering with Community Business Leaders
DC Public Schools is gearing up for NSLW with a series of engaging events and initiatives aimed at enhancing student participation and education about nutrition. This year, schools will feature themed menu displays, such as showcasing popular items like “fish and chips” and “golden grilled cheese,” to create excitement around school meals.
The district is collaborating with Aramark and Sodexo to incentivize schools through a cash donation program. Schools with the highest lunch participation will receive $500 donations to support their nutrition programs, promoting healthy eating while rewarding schools for their efforts in engaging students.
Sodexo is also hosting a tabling event at school sites to educate students about the benefits of school lunches, while utilizing social media to promote nutritional messages and menu highlights, such as the new Dominican chimichurri burger. This proactive approach helps to build awareness of the health benefits associated with school meals and encourages student feedback.
In a unique initiative, DC Central Kitchen will offer complimentary lunch meals to parents and guardians at participating schools on October 16th. This opportunity not only encourages family engagement in school nutrition but also allows parents to experience firsthand the quality of meals being served to their children.
As countless districts celebrate NSLW 2024 this week, they’re doing more than making lunch fun–they’re promoting healthy lunch and snack choices and bringing awareness to the importance of school lunch. For many districts, it’s a year-round pursuit. We tip our hats to every K-12 nutrition professional. Your dedication and passion to feed today’s youth ensures that they’re ready to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential.
Looking ahead, we’re already excited about National School Breakfast Week (NSBW), March 3-7, 2025. With a theme of “Clue In,” we can’t wait to investigate and share all the benefits of school breakfast and how K-12 nutrition leaders ensure that every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn.